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Floors make the house. Whether new construction or a remodel, choosing the flooring is as important as the wall colors. And wall colors are easier to change. Installing a new floor is a big decision. The type of flooring material, color, design and function is only part of the equation. Who you have installed the floors can be just as crucial.

Hiring a professional flooring installation company sounds easy until you discover the vast number of companies and their differences. The one you choose needs to be informative, responsive, professional and good at putting in floors.

To help you make an informed hiring decision, we’ve reviewed the top two dozen widely available flooring installation providers and, based on factors like customer happiness, nationwide availability and customization options, listed the best here.

Compare Quotes From Top-rated Local Flooring Contractors

Next day installation specialist Empire Today takes the top spot on our list. Since 1959, Empire Today has grown from a local company in Chicago to offering services in 31 states. The company received numerous industry awards over the years, including several for outstanding customer service.

They offer residential and commercial installation of carpet, laminate, hardwood, vinyl and tile along with custom options with free in-home estimates and measuring. Estimates include everything from furniture moving to installation to minor details of the job.

You won’t find an Empire store near you. The company has no retail locations, but a representative will bring product samples to your site so you can see them on-site before making a flooring decision. All Empire products carry standard warranties, and the company provides a limited workmanship warranty on every installation.

Mr. Handyman is a one-stop-shop for almost any work that needs to get done around your home. They’re number two on our list. The company licenses independent franchises in 38 states and has been around for over 25 years. They’re a full-service flooring company that offers tile, laminate, wood, vinyl and linoleum with one-year limited warranties.

The Better Business Bureau awards Mr. Handyman with an A+ rating and Facebook consumers give them an average of 4.1 stars. The company doesn’t offer any financing options or low-price guarantees, but each franchise delivers free estimates, one-year limited warranties and a six-month Done Right Guarantee.

Mr. Handyman offers a long list of other in-home services in addition to flooring. Carpentry, assembly, window and door installation and a host of maintenance and repair services.

Luna Flooring is next on our list. Offering next-day installation on most flooring types and free in-home estimates for carpet, hardwood, laminate, vinyl and tile jobs, Luna rates well at four stars with Consumer Affairs. However, other review platforms seldom mention them.

A two-year installation warranty comes with every floor that Luna installs. Price match guarantees and financing options are available for any of the seven major flooring brands that they offer. As a full-service flooring company, they provide their customers with eco-friendly and pet-friendly product options and a phone-based virtual room floor designer tool.

Luna’s 30-Day Love Your Flooring Promise that comes with each installation offers consumers an opportunity to change the color or style of flooring within a month for the cost of installation.

With an A grade at the BBB and high overall rating averages across other review platforms, National Floors Direct is next up. The full-service flooring company provides free in-home estimates and next-day installation service of an extensive selection of name brands. Carpet, hardwood, laminates, tile and luxury vinyl options are available.

Estimates include furniture moving, premium padding and standard stair work for free while they back them up with a low-price guarantee. The 75-year-old company also provides financing options and eco and pet-friendly offerings, but they don’t perform custom flooring work.

Although not necessarily a flooring specialist company, The Home Depot ranks well in the industry. The company provides limited brand selections of carpet, vinyl options, laminates, hardwoods and tile to a network of Home Depot-backed, hand-picked independent installers.

Retail locations offer customers virtual shopping options and virtual design tools, while next-day installations are available for many flooring types. The company can be found in every U.S. state and carries a vast collection of home maintenance, repair and construction materials, along with tools and other supplies.

The Home Depot offers several financing options and low-price guarantees on many of its products, including flooring, several of which also carry limited lifetime warranties.

Hardwood floors are a popular, durable and visually appealing option. Oak and cherry give off a natural feel in any home. Hardwood floors often come as planks, parquets or prefinished boards that can be expensive and difficult to install. They’re subject to moisture damage, so they are better installed in parts of the home that don’t get wet often from showers or kitchen sinks.

Over time, they can get scratches or dents that may be expensive to fix, but these floors can be refurbished every several years and last decades.

Laminate floors are a less expensive alternative that seek to achieve that wood-floor look. The material is composed of wood-based materials that are laminated together and then layered with an imprint that mimics wood grains.

Besides wood grain, laminate floors come in a variety of colors and styles. They’re durable and easier to install than hardwood. Although laminate is useful in high-traffic areas, it’s subject to moisture damage in kitchens or bathrooms where the floor gets wet often.

Engineered wood floors are made up of plywood planks that are layered on top with a real but very thin hardwood veneer. They’re a great option for those who want something in-between laminate and hardwood. Because they have real hardwood layered on top, they more closely resemble real hardwood floors at a fraction of the cost. Unlike hardwood, refurbishing these floors usually requires the replacement of the surface.

Tile is a popular option for many homeowners with materials like porcelain, terra cotta, marble, granite and slate. Glazed porcelain is the most cost-effective. It’s nonporous, waterproof (making it great for kitchens and bathrooms) and sturdy enough for high-trafficked parts of a home.

Tiles come in a wide range of textures, shapes and finishes allowing a homeowner to be creative with tile selection. Overall, tile floors are durable, but they can be expensive and difficult to install. Chips and scratches can damage tile and are difficult to repair.

Vinyl flooring is easy to clean and has a softer underfoot than tile or stone. Vinyl is a popular choice for basements, bathrooms or kitchens where moisture can be an issue. It’s generally affordable and comes in sheets or self-stick tiles, which makes vinyl a great DIY project choice. Vinyl flooring is sold in a range of widths and thicknesses. Choose a thicker vinyl for high-trafficked areas.

Concrete floors have become popular, offering long-lasting durability and lower maintenance compared to other popular flooring types. Gray concrete can be stamped or stained to look like other expensive materials like marble, granite, stone or brick.

Carpet is a common floor type in colder climates, especially in bedrooms. Carpet is cost-effective and is soft and warm underfoot. Carpet comes in a myriad of colors and styles and some are stain-resistant, which is preferable in homes with young children or pets. Carpets can be difficult to maintain; it’s best to have your carpet professionally cleaned at least once a year.

Bamboo is an extremely durable floor type that’s made from lightweight woody grass. It can resist swelling and contractions that often happen to hardwood floors in warm, humid climates. Bamboo is also moisture-resistant, making it a good option for wet areas like kitchens and bathrooms.

Cork floors are an eco-friendly alternative. They have a light, cushiony feel that absorbs vibrations and sound. If cork floors get dented, they can often bounce back over a short period of time. Its natural, non-slip surface is ideal for wet areas like kitchens and bathrooms.

Linoleum is another eco-friendly flooring alternative. Linoleum is made from all-natural materials that make it antistatic and resistant to water, dings or scratches. Linoleum floors are often found in commercial buildings, like hospitals, because they’re easy to clean, comfortable underfoot and are made in a variety of colors. Advertisement THIS IS AN ADVERTISEMENT AND NOT EDITORIAL CONTENT. Please note that we do receive compensation for any products you buy or sign up to via this advertisement, and that compensation impacts the ranking and placement of any offers listed herein. We do not present information about every offer available. The information and savings numbers depicted above are for demonstration purposes only, and your results may vary. Using your home's equity is an easy way to fund your new floors! Get prequalified in minutes by clicking on your state. Learn More

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When choosing the best type of flooring for a home, think about the ideal level of comfort for each room. What is each room’s purpose? Will there be moisture or heavy traffic? Knowing what to expect in each area of the home will help you determine the durability and lifespan that fits best. Consider the interior design of the home as well. Is it already equipped with a certain decor? What colors, textures or patterns would fit best?

Consider the following factors below:

It’s vital to determine a budget before shopping for a new floor as costs can vary widely. Customers will also have to consider other costs like delivery, installation, labor, cleaning and disposal of the previous flooring. Additional materials may be required to complete the installation.

Shop around for different installation companies and make sure to compare measurements and estimates. Also, consider long-term maintenance costs.

Make sure to balance needs with the style of choice. Try to choose floor types that complement the existing furniture and decor. Textures, colors and patterns can all represent the homeowners’ personal sense of space. Sleek tile or grainy hardwood can be visually appealing, but expensive. Carefully consider what would work best in each room.

A homeowner’s lifestyle may ultimately determine which floor types are best. Consider how the room will be used and what the floor will go through during normal wear and tear. If the area is prone to moisture, go for vinyl or tile. Consider whether pets will track dirt or mud into the house—if so, porcelain or stone tiles may be best.

If there are children in the home, carpet or vinyl may be best. Try to choose a floor type where maintenance and cleaning are as simple as possible.

Consider the weather and climate when shopping for a new floor. Carpet may be best for colder climates because it’s warm and soft underfoot. Warm, humid climates may warrant materials that work best in radiant heat like porcelain, tile or concrete.

Before hiring a flooring installation company to add or revamp your flooring, it’s essential to understand what they offer beforehand. A good installation company will schedule an in-home consultation for measuring, assist you with your flooring options, and be backed by product and labor warranties.

From the location of your home to the type of flooring you choose to the flooring contractor you hire, several factors will affect the price of your new floors. However, flooring can cost between  $1,500 and $4,500 , with an average price of about $ 3,000  to cover a 500-square-foot space.

To determine the best flooring installation companies, the Forbes Home Improvement editorial team analyzed third-party data from over two dozen of the nation’s largest companies, with each product’s star rating determined by evaluating a variety of metrics, including:

*Customization options, customer happiness and nationwide availability make up 50% of the full rating.

Luckily, many types of flooring are considered durable. From tile to engineered hardwood to linoleum, it is easy to find a type of flooring that will withstand your daily life. However, it is said that tile may be ideal for high-traffic areas in your home.

Cost of flooring installation varies greatly depending on the material that you choose. Materials are typically sold per square foot. Other costs include installation, delivery, labor, cleaning and disposal of old floor materials. We recommend adding 20% to 25% of the budgeted amount to any home improvement project—you never know what you’ll find when you get started.

Start by comparing nationwide companies using our guide. Consumer Affairs also has a comparison option to evaluate major floor installers. Look at an installer’s specialty, if any, and consider the options based on your needs.

Prepare for your new floor by sweeping, vacuuming or mopping the area where the floor will be installed. Remove any furniture or appliances that will be in the way. Secure pets away from the area. If the floor material needs acclimation time, leave the home for a few nights.

Yes, floor installation companies typically help customers move their furniture and some appliances. There may be an extra fee for this service, but it’s often thrown in for free by larger companies.

Deane is a 30+ year veteran in the contracting, remodeling, maintenance, and home repair industry. His experience ranges from licensed building contracting to property maintenance company ownership. Currently operating a home repair and DIY consulting service, he empowers his clients to be self-sufficient in their home repair and remodeling endeavors.

Samantha is an editor who covers all topics home-related including home improvement and repair. She edited home repair and design content at websites like The Spruce and HomeAdvisor. She also has hosted videos on DIY home tips and solutions and launched multiple home improvement review boards staffed with licensed pros.